Music Education Alumni Connections This spring when we went to remote learning, I immediately began hearing from alumni of our program. In speaking and emailing with them, I was being asked for advice, encouragement, and resources. I was also receiving messages that offered assistance to our current students and offers to share their experiences with our current students poured in.
I quickly realized that we all need each other to get through this experience, and this project developed from there. After a few weeks of planning, I hosted several Zoom sessions during April that put current students together with groups of elementary, middle and high school music educators of all backgrounds and disciplines (band/choir/orchestra/general music/AP Music Theory/guitar class/etc!). My music ed faculty colleagues joined us each week and it became a great learning experience for all involved. The connections we all made - albeit online - will hopefully be something positive that is remembered about this time. I created a slide show to document the experience and to provide a resource for our students and alums to access some of the applications and materials that were referenced in the Zoom meetings. I am very proud of the NIU family in the School of Music and am happy to share this project as an example of something positive that was created during this time of uncertainty and doubt.
Walking Through Quarantine Quarantine has been a struggle for me and my mental health, but taking walks is something that has been very beneficial for me. This photo series is based on the walks that I have taken around my small town, and the interesting things that I wouldn’t have necessarily noticed before.